Electronic access control device

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide an improved access control unit with an asymmetric transmission pattern. A shielded backplate reduces the interior transmission pattern. The secure side transmission pattern is much smaller than the unsecure side transmission pattern, such that a credential located within the secure side area of a building is not likely to trigger the access control unit, thus reducing the risk of an unauthorized access.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An electronic access control device comprising:
 a housing; 
 an electronics module disposed within the housing; 
 a shielded backplate mounted on the housing and configured and disposed to contain the electronics module within the housing; and 
 a mounting plate configured and disposed to attach to a building surface and also to attach to the shielded backplate, and wherein: 
 the mounting plate comprises a plurality of engagement tabs configured and disposed to engage with a plurality of tab ports formed within the shielded backplate, and wherein the shielded backplate comprises an electronics access opening formed within it, and wherein the mounting plate comprises a protruding tab with a hole formed therein, and wherein the shielded backplate comprises a protruding tab with a threaded hole formed therein, wherein the threaded hole of the protruding tab of the shielded backplate is configured and disposed to align with the hole of the protruding tab of the mounting plate. 
 
     
     
       2. The electronic access control device of  claim 1 , wherein the electronics access opening has a maximum height ranging from about 0.2 inches to about 0.5 inches. 
     
     
       3. The electronic access control device of  claim 1 , wherein the shielded backplate is comprised of aluminum. 
     
     
       4. The electronic access control device of  claim 1 , wherein the shielded backplate is comprised of steel. 
     
     
       5. The electronic access control device of  claim 1 , wherein the shielded backplate is comprised of copper. 
     
     
       6. The electronic access control device of  claim 1 , wherein the shielded backplate is comprised of a first layer of material disposed adjacent to a second layer of material. 
     
     
       7. The electronic access control device of  claim 6 , wherein the first layer is comprised of aluminum and the second layer is comprised of copper. 
     
     
       8. The electronic access control device of  claim 7 , wherein the first layer has a thickness ranging from about 0.01 inches to about 0.25 inches, and wherein the second layer has a thickness ranging from about 0.01 inches to about 0.25 inches. 
     
     
       9. The electronic access control device of  claim 1 , wherein the electronics module comprises:
 a processor; 
 a non-transitory memory coupled to the processor; 
 a transceiver; and 
 an antenna; 
 wherein the memory contains instructions, that when executed by the processor, detect a received signal strength indication from a credential device, and grant access to an entryway in response to detecting a received signal strength indication that exceeds a predetermined threshold. 
 
     
     
       10. The electronic access control device of  claim 9 , wherein the memory contains instructions, that when executed by the processor, perform the steps of:
 communicating with the credential device via an ISO-7816 application protocol data unit; 
 receiving ISO-7816 application protocol data unit commands from a host communication module; 
 sending the ISO-7816 application protocol data unit commands to the credential device; 
 receiving a response to said commands from the credential device; and 
 communicating the response to the host communication module. 
 
     
     
       11. The electronic access control device of  claim 9 , wherein the transceiver is a Bluetooth Low Energy transceiver. 
     
     
       12. The electronic access control device of  claim 1 , further comprising a shroud disposed around the housing. 
     
     
       13. The electronic access control device of  claim 12 , wherein the shroud is comprised of aluminum. 
     
     
       14. The electronic access control device of  claim 12 , wherein the shroud is comprised of copper. 
     
     
       15. The electronic access control device of  claim 12 , wherein the shroud is comprised of a first layer of material disposed adjacent to a second layer of material. 
     
     
       16. The electronic access control device of  claim 15 , wherein the first layer is comprised of aluminum and the second layer is comprised of copper. 
     
     
       17. The electronic access control device of  claim 16 , wherein the first layer has a thickness ranging from about 0.25 inches to about 0.5 inches, and wherein the second layer has a thickness ranging from about 0.02 inches to about 0.05 inches. 
     
     
       18. The electronic access control device of  claim 1 , wherein the electronics access opening is T-shaped, and comprises a first height region and a second height region, wherein the second height region has a greater height than the a height of the first height region, and wherein the second height region is disposed at a midpoint of the electronics access opening. 
     
     
       19. The electronic access control device of  claim 12 , wherein the shroud extends beyond a front surface of the housing. 
     
     
       20. The electronic access control device of  claim 19 , wherein the shroud extends about one inch beyond the front surface of the housing.